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REPORTS 



OP THE 



EXAMINERS 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE, 



SHOWING 



THE CONDITION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS. 



MARCH, 1884. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1884. 

iCB, 



K E P O R T S 



OF THE 



EXAMINERS 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE, 



SHOWING 



THE CONDITION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS. 



MARCH, 1884. 



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GOVERNMENT PRINTINa OFFICE. 
1884. 



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K E P O R T S 



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THE EXAMINERS OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT 

OFFICE. 

SHOWING 
THE CONDITION OF THEIE RESPECTIVE DIVISION&-MABCH, 1884. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER ANTISELL. 

Division: CHEMISTRY. 

I have the honor to present herewith a tabulated list of cases, in- 
cluding new and return, awaiting action in this division at this date, viz : 

Cases 8eut to room in — 

Decemlaer, 1883 (balance) 17 

January, 1884 133 

Ficbruary, 1884 Ill 

261 

being total number pending. 

In order to clear the desks of the above accumulation, and then keep 
the work within the current month, it will be absolutely necessary that 
the following additions be made to the present force : 

One third assistant examiner. 

One fourth assistant examiner. 

One copying clerk. 

The rapid increase in the number of United States patents, and in 
the number of foreign patents, causes every day an increased width of 
search. This is further increased by the additions to the scientific 
library, which has reached from 20,000 up to 40,000 volumes. The 
search through these accumulating sources of information, the bulk of 
which is in foreign languages, demands much time of the assistant ex- 
aminer, and necessitates the increased force now called for. 

The increase in material demands increasing space for examination. 
The single room to which this division is at present limited is so crowded 
as to impede this work of examination even with the present small force. 
With the necessary increase of force needed to bring up the work, and 
the consequent increase in the number of desks, an additional room is 
imperatively necessary. 

With the increase of examining force, above asked for, there should 
be two desks ; one to keep record of the cases as they are received and 

12570 p E 1 



disposed of, the otlier clerk iiowasked for being needed in, (1.) Keeping"*^ 
up the briefs in process cases. (2.) Gopyinp: the letters to attorneys, 
and examiner's statements to the Commissioner and examiners-in-chief 
in cases appealed. (3.) Stamping and arranging foreign patents, and the 
specifications and drawings of domestic patents. (4.) Digesting and 
copying briefs of foreign patents. (5.) Making record of the inven- 
tions and of references nsed in abandoned or forfeited applications. 

The first, fourth, and fifth of the above items embrace work peculiar 
to the chemical divisions, and such work is essential to enable the office 
to keep pace with the improvements in the useful arts ; such work is not 
usual in divisions where mechanical inventions are illustrated by draw- 
ings and models. Another necessity for a copying clerk is the increase 
in clerical work of copying letters and digesting, it being at present 
imjiossible to keep the clerical work to date, or to forward letters on the 
day on which they are written by the examiner. 



I have the honor to report, in response to circular, as follows : 

1. The number of the room is 155 ; its size 20 by 20 by 9J feet. 

2. Six persons are employed. 

3. There are seven desks and nine cases. ; 

4. The discomforts and inconveniences to which we are subjected 
are serious. 

A grave inconvenience is the crowded condition of the single room 
to which this division is at present limited. Though cases have been 
built into corners, and shelves upon the walls, the copies of United 
States specifications and drawings, and also of duplicates of foreign 
patents and the necessary books of reference, have accumulated to such 
an extent that the desks, floor, tops of wardrobe and cases, and even 
the window seats, are piled with them. Files of pending applications are 
heaped upon the floor for want of wall room upon which to place cases 
for their storage. 

Much delay and waste of time occurs from the interviews with offi- 
cials and with attorneys (allowed under the rules), as the crowded con- 
dition of thei room causes the attention of the examiners to be distracted 
from their examinations by the arguments and conversations to which, 
by proximity, they are compelled to listen for a considerable portion of 
the day. 

There is an absolute absence of ventilation, leading to the necessity 
of throwing wide the windows and doors, and of the occupants vacating 
the rooms at intervals to obtain relief. If the force remained in the 
room for the entire seven hours of labor, they would be subjected to 
headache, with other symptoms of poisoning produced by vitiated air. 



EEPORTS OF EXAMIIS^ER APPLETON. 

Division: TEXTILE. 

In compliance with your communication requiring examiners to fur* 
nish a statement of the condition of the work in their respective divis- 
i)ns, together with a statement as to the additional force required to 



bring the work up and keep it so, I have the honor to submit the fol- 
lowing: 

The total number of new cases now on file in this division is 262, the 
oldest of which is dated July 18, 1883. 

The total number of amended cases now before the examiner for action 
is 22, the date of the oldest of these being January 29, 18S4. 

In order to bring this arrearage of work up to date and to keep it 
there, I am of the opinion that at least two additional assistants will be 
required, and an additional copyist, who should, if possible, be a pho- 
nographer. 

In addition to the above, an additional room should be provided for 
the reception of the foreign and domestic patents. The rooms now at 
the disposal of this division are so small and the place so limited that 
the entire number of the French and German patents are unavailable, 
as well as the greater portion of the English patents, which are piled 
upon the floor for want of space to put up the necessary portfolios 
therefor. As the larger i)ortion of the examinations of the applications 
pertaining to this division are necessarily made through the foreign 
patents mentioned, the necessity for immediate steps to have them 
made available becomes apparent, since the only course left open to the 
examiner in conducting examination, while these patents are in their 
present unavailable condition, is by searching through the printed di- 
gests, and this mode, in consequence of the incomplete character of these 
digests, renders such examinations extremely defective. 



Referring to your communication, I have the honor to report: 

1. That the number of the room occupied by this division is 93. The 
room comprises two apartments, one 22 by 24 feet and the other 12 by 
22 feet, making a total surface of 792 square feet. Of this surface there 
is occupied by cases, &c., 150 square feet; by desks, 130 square feet; 
by foreign patents piled upon the floor, 26 square feet, making the total 
occupied surface 306 square feet, leaving an unoccupied surface of 486 
square feet. 

2. That the number of persons employed in this division is 7. 

3. That the number of desks in the room is 8 ; cases, &c., 11 ; total, 19. 

4. That the chief discomforts and inconveniences attending the dis- 
patch of business are {a) the inaccessibility of the foreign patents, owing 
to the fact that the drawings thereof are, for the most part, unmounted, 
and that what are mounted cannot be properly filed away and classified, 
because of the lack of cases or portfolios and room therefor ; (&) the lack 
of room to enable the examiner and his assistants to work with advan- 
tage; and (c) the poor facilities for heating and ventilating the rooms, 
by which much time is lost through sickness. 

It may be stated that in calculating the occui)ied surface of the rooms 
no regard was had to the space taken up by chairs, the fire-screens, &c., 
or room made unavailable by doors, fire-place, &c., which, if considered 
in connection with that noted, would be over one-half of the entire floor 
area of the apartments belonging to the division. 

This statement of facts, however, fails totally show the inconveniences 
attending the examination of applications, nor is it possible by words to 
show them. When a portfolio is drawn out by the examiner or an assistant; 
la the work of making "searches," or such person is seated in a chair at 
his desk, it is frequently impossible for another to pass from one side of 



the room to the other without closing the portfolio, or the person first 
mentioned rising trom his seat and moving aside. 

Furthermore, in addition to the inconvenience of having the foreign 
patents piled on the floor, they are being damaged and destroyed by 
mice, dust, and accident. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER BLODGETT. 

Division: DAIRY, FENCES, TOBACCO, MUSIC, &c. 

There are 268 new cases now awaiting action in this division. 

The date of the oldest new case is September 19, 1883, but, practically, 
the division is up in date to October 15, 1883, there being less than a 
dozen cases intervening. 

The return work is substantially up to date. 

In the present greatly crowded condition of the single room in which 
this division is located it is impossible to furnish accommodations for 
more force, although two additional assistants are imperatively needed to 
bring the work up to date and keep it there. 



The examining division of which I have charge is located in room 96, 
22 by 25 feet in dimensions. Nine persons are employed, and there are 
nine desks and eleven cases, one of which extends the entire width of 
the room and is over 2 feet wide. The sun never shines in the room, 
and it is always dark, gas-light during the day often being required. 
There are no means of ventilation except by the windows, and when th'ey 
are opened strong drafts detrimental to health are produced. Added 
to this, the chimney do'es not draw well, and when a fire is built in the 
grate the air is either charged with smoke or coal gas. The desks are 
inconveniently huddled together, in order to afford space for passage- 
ways, so that no advantage whatever can be taken even of the little 
light that enters the room from the west only. 

Models, books, and papers have to be stored by piling them on the 
desks, tops of cases, and floor. 

Three of the force have been absent on account of sickness within 
the past week, and all of them have given notice that further absence 
is imperative on account of continued illness. At least four deaths 
have occurred within a few years of persons (examiners and assistants) 
who were employed in this room. 

It is difficult to perform the work in such close quarters. Quietude 
is almost unknown. If the door is opened tlie conversation and noise 
of the people constantly passing through the halls cause discomfort, 
and if the windows are raised the noises from the carpenter shop and- 
boiler rooms in the basement are distinctly heard. Again, while argu- 
ments are being made by attorneys it is almost impossible for assist- 
ants to continue the work of examination. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER BOWEN. 

Division: HYDRAULICS AND PNEUMATICS. 

Agreeably to your request, I have the honor to report as follows con- 
cerning the work and force of Division No. IX. 

It is my judgment that 100 applications per month of the character 



5 

of those that this division receives are as many as a primary examiner 
and four assistants can properly dispose of. This division averages 150 
applications monthly, and is therefore unable with the present force 
and facilities to keep the work from accnmulating. 

One of the most urgent meds of the division is more space for its 
records and examiners. An additional room would enable the present 
force to accomplish at least 25 per cent, more work. Under the exist- 
ing condition of things it is not unusual for one man to be retarded by 
what another is doing. I am especially in need of space because of 
the large number of foreign patents which must be handled in making 
searches in this division. With two exceptions I have the largest num- 
ber of foreign patents of any division of the office. 

I have suggested in a paper now before the Commissioner that this 
division should be relieved of three of the eight classes now under its 
charge. If this were done the present force could probably keep the 
work well in hand. If the division be not relieved of any work, it will 
require, in my opinion, three additional assistants to enable the exami- 
ner to overcome accumulations and prevent the work from falling be- 
hind. This is my estimate as the figures now stand. 



I have to report as follows concerning the sanitary condition of the 
room occupied by Division No. IX : 

1. The room is No. 22, the size of which is about 22 by 25 feet. 

2. Nine persons occui)y this room. 

3. In this room there are nine desks, three large cases, and thirteen 
small casps, besides the books, papers, drawings, &;c., necessary to carry 
on the work of the division. 

4. The records will show that the division has carried some one of its 
force on the sick list for probably two years past. This circumstance is 
due, I am entirely satisfied, to the unsuitable quarters occupied by the 
force. 



EEPOETS OF EXAMINER BOYD. 

Division: HARVESTERS. 

In accordance with instructions, I have the honor to report that in 
my division there are 342 cases awaiting action, 229 new and 113 old. 
The oldest new case was filed July 5, 1883. The oldest return case was 
(amended August 2, 1883. Thus it will be seen that the two classes are 
behind, respectively, seven and six months. 

Eesignations and transfers during the past year materially reduced 
my force, and, owing to the limited number of assistant examiners in 
the office, I have not yet succeeded in having it restored to its former 
efficiency, although I have repeatedly urged it. 

Nearly half of the pending cases relate to self-binding harvesters and 
involve very complicated automatic machinery. In view of the charac- 
ter of the inventions sought to be patented, the number of claims pre- 
sented, and the numerous prior patents of complicated machinery which 



it is necessary to consider in making examinations as to novelty, the 
pending cases are equal to at least eight hundred average cases before 
the office. 

It is impossible with my present force to keep the work up. I would 
like to have two additional competent second or third assistant, ex- 
aminers. 



In reply to circular I would respectfully state as follows : / 

1. Number of mj^ room, 41 ; size, 20 J by 24 J feet (reduced by cases 
around the walls to 18J by 20| feet). 

2. Number of persons employed, six. 

3. Number of desks, six; cases, ten, five very large. 

4. Uncomfortable and inconvenient on account of the crowded condi- 
tion. Also a northern exposure ; no direct rays of the sun ; windows 
shaded, even in mid summer, by columns and deep pilasters. 



EEPORTS OF EXAMINER BUEKE. 

Division : FINE ARTS, APPAREL, AND ADVERTISING. 

In compliance with request I have the honor to present the following 
statement of the work in this division, and to express the opinion at the 
same time that " to bring the work up and keep it so'^ two efficient and 
industrious assistants are needed in addition to the present force. , 

Total number of original applications awaiting first action 174 

Total number of acted upon or return applications awaiting action on amend- 
ments filed - 102 

Total number of applications (original and return) awaiting action 276 

Date of oldest original case, November 3, 1883 ; date of oldest return 
case, November 26, 1883. 



In compliance with your letter of inquiry I beg leave to report as 
follows : 

1. The number of room, 44; size of room (inside the cases), 18 by 17 
feet. 

2. Number of persons employed, eight. 

3. Number of desks, eight ; book, model, and file cases, nine. 

4. The discomforts and inconveniences existing arise from actual 
want of room for the performance of the work and duties required. 

Tbe assistants are constantly interrupted in their work by the discus- 
sions and arguments occurring in the interviews allowed applicants 
and their agents with the principal examiner. To avoid such disturb- 
ances, and at the same time keep from view pending applications, an 
additional room should be provided. 

The present crowded condition of the rooms is due to the number of 
persons employed therein, the articles of furniture required, and the 
large and continually increasing amount of work. It is impossible to 
secure the ventilation essential to health. 



EEPORTS OF EXAMINER OATLIN. 

Division : GAS, METALLURGY, BREWING, AND DISTILLATION. 

I have the honor to submit the following statement of the present 
condition of work in Division III : 

New applications awaiting action 158 

Amended applications awaiting action 32 

Total applications awaiting action 190 

The oldest new application is dated November 8,1883; the oldest 
return case amended January 14, 1884. 

The above indicates that the work of the division is two months in 
atrears. The present force embraces, including the principal, five 
experienced assistant examiners. The arrearage of work, therefore, may 
be said to equal the labor of an experienced assistant for at least ten 
months. But the work is not kept up to its present state of forwardness 
without difficulty and without occasional hurry and imperfection, and 
without neglect of many minor matters essential to the highest efficiency. 

A new and inexperienced assistant would be of little or no immediate 
advantage. Assuming that such a one is possessed of suitable men- 
tal qualitications for the work, it would require assiduous labor for 
several months for him to gain experience and practical knowledge 
necessary to render his services valuable at the points where aid is most 
needed. 

An ordinary clerk, or an assistant having capacity and acquirements 
only equal to that of several acting assistants heretofore assigned to 
divisions under my charge, could never aid the work in any great de- 
gree, because the want of assistance is felt where only high qualifica- 
tions with added experience are of any utility. 

Assuming, however, that the new assistants will have capacity and 
that they will acquire a useful amount of experience within a few 
months, we have to consider the great probability that one or more of 
the present force will leave the office. 

And further, the steady increase both in amount and difficulty of the 
work cannot be overlooked. 

In view of the above considerations, it is my opinion that three assist- 
ants, of average qualifications, are necessary to put the work in my 
division in such condition that all applications can be taken up for ex- 
amination within a week of their filing. 

Two assistants of the highest capacity would probably be sufficient. 



This division embraces usually eight or nine persons, but at present, 
only seven persons. It occupies rooms No. 149 and 151 ; room 149 
measures on the floor 21 by 10 feet, and contains three desks and one 
large case ; room 151 measures 23 by 21 feet, and contains five desks 
and nine cases. 

The rooms are not totally inadequate, but are inconvenient, small in 
view of all the circumstances. The persons regularly employed therein 
are required to pass frequently to various parts of both rooms in the 
discharge of ordinary duties. Several messengers pass to and fro 
regularly and often. Calls from outside persons doing business with 



8 

the office are frequent. To avoid interference and confusion in such 
crowded rooms and under such conditions is not always practicable. 

A suspension of business to allow opening of windows for ventilation 
is occasionally necessary. 

Additional space to the amount of one-fourth is needed. 



EEPOETS OF EXAMINER OHAPMAK 
Division: LEATHER- WORKING MACHINERY, PRODUCTS, AND STATIONERY. 

In compliance with official request, I have the honor to submit the 
following report, showing the condition of Division XI at this date : 

Total number of new cases awaiting action .^ 142 

Total number of amended cases awaiting action ^ 

Total 151 

Date of filing of oldest new case, February 5, 1884; oldest amended 
case, February 23, 1884. 

It will be apparent from the foregoing that this division is aboat 
three weeks behind, or, in a general sense, "practically up." 

The force in this division consists of (besides the examiner) one fir^t 
assistant, one fourth assistant, one acting fourth assistant, one exam- 
iner's clerk, and one assistant clerk. 

The work in this division has always been heavy, and is constantly 
increasing, and is accomplished only by the most assiduous application; 
and while another assistant could be wisely employed under other cir- 
cumstances, yet with our present limited accommodations our room is 
entirely occupied. 

To give the ratio of increase, attention is called to number of appli- 
cations received for the years 1882 and 1883 : 

Number of applications for 1882 1, 842 

Number of applications for 1883 2,541 

Increase 699 



In response to official interrogatories have respectfully to submit the 
following answer : 

1. Number of room, 95, which is 20 feet square. 

2. Number of employes, six. 

3. There are 6 desks and two large cases, one of which extends en- 
tirely across one end of the room and is about two and a half feet in 
depth, the other case occupying a little less than one-half of one side 
of the room, otherwise of like proportion. In addition, one smaller case^ 
about 4 by 3 feet, stands in the room. 

4. The chief inconvenience arises from the crowded condition of the 
room, which renders it impossible to properl^^ facilitate the action de- 
manded or to obtain the ventilation conducive to health. 



9 

REPORTS OF EXAMINER OOOKE. 

* 

Division: PRINTING, BINDING, AND PAPER MANUP'ACTURES. 

I have the honor to report, as to the couditiori of the work in Division 
XVII — printing, book-binding, and paper manafactures — that there are 
on hand, awaiting action, 381 cases, of which '.i33 are new applications 
and 48 oki or amended applications. The new applications are those 
received during (about) the past four months— since October 15, 1883. 
The amended cases will, within a few days, under the operation of 
amended rule 62, be brought up to date. 

In order that the work may be brought up and kept up, the division 
ahould have the additional force of a good assistant examiner, competent 
to perform the duties of a second assistant. 

This additional assistant may be accommodated in the room now occu- 
pied by the division by a further crowding of its present occupants. 

I beg leave to add, however, that I deem such further crowding to be 
inexpedient, except as a temporary measure. More room for the divis- 
ion is, in my judgment, a necessity scarcely secondary in importance to 
additional force, even though such force be not brought into the apart- 
ment now occupied. 



I have the honor to report that this Division occupies room 25, the size 
of which is 22 feet 6 inches by 21 feet 6 inches. Eight persons are em- 
ployed therein. 

In the room are eight desks and six cases. Of the cases, two are 8 
feet by 2 feet 3 inches each, and one is 6 feet by 2 feet 6 inches (floor 
space), the tops extending nearly to the ceiling. Five of the cases are 
devoted to drawer portfolios, which, when drawn out in use, double the 
space occupied by the cases. 

The discomforts and inconvenience attending the proper dispatch of 
business are very great. The necessary conferences of the examiner 
with his assistants in the review of cases, and with applicants and 
attorneys, which extend over a great part of every day, greatly disturb 
the attention of all the other assistants in their work, crowded closely 
together as they necessarily are. 

The sanitary condition of the room is exceedingly unfavorable by 
reason of the impracticability of obtaining proper ventilation. Several 
of the persons are crowded close to the windows, so that their health is 
endangered by any effort to get in pure air for all the occupants of the 
room. One of the employes is now, and has been repeatedly before, 
seriously ill, caused doubtless in great part by the generally uuhealth- 
ful condition of the room ; and all suffer more or less from time to time 
from the same cause, frequently impairing to a considerable extent their 
efficiencv. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER FOWLER. 
Division : STEAM ENGINEERING. 

In reply to order of February 25, 1884, the examiner reports as follows : 

New cases awaiting action 220 

Amended cases aw aiting action 8 

Oldest new case filed December 5, 1883 ; oldest return case amended 
February 18, 1884. 



10 

Owing to the very material increase in number of applications during 
the past year, it has proved impossible to prevent the present accumu- 
lation of work in this division, though favored with a most industrious 
and efficient corps of assistants. The room now used is already incon- 
veniently^ crowded, and would not allow of the addition of more than 
one assistant. 

In view of the nature of the work in this class and the long time re- 
quired for mastering its difficulties, it is deemed not only important biit 
essential that an assistant should be possessed of superior qualifications, 
and if possible that he should be more or less familiar with the mechan- 
ism and principles appertaining to the class. The addition of one as- 
sistant, however competent, would hardly accomplish more than to ar- 
rest the present daily increase of work, and it is therefore suggested 
that one or more of the classes be transferred to another division. 



In reply to the order of March 18, 1884, the following statement is 
respectfully submitted : 

1. Room 38, 24 by 20 feet ; but a space 2 feet wide on three sides of 
the room is occupied by stationary cases. 

2. Six persons employed. 

3. Six cases on sides of the room ; six desks; two tables. 

4. By reason of the insufficient room for the desks and portfolio cases 
and library case, much inconvenience and delay in prosecuting the work 
are caused, more cases being needed and access to those in use being 
attended with much difficulty. The fire-place is rendered useless by the 
cases crowded in front of it. i 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER FOX. 
Division : AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

In compliance with your direction, I have the honor to submit the fol- 
lowing report : 

Number of new cases awaiting action 129 

Number of old cases awaiting action 40 

Force employed: One principal examiner j one first assistant, one 
second assistant; two third assistants; one acting assistant, and one 
clerk. 

In order to work up to date I should like one more assistant. 



In accordance with directions, I have the honor to furnish the follow- 
ing information : 

1. Room occupied, l^o. 50 ; size, 24 by 19 feet. 

2. Number employed, seven. 

3. Number of desks, seven, and cases five. • 

4. The room is too small. Two rooms at least are needed. Three 
desks and their occupants are crowded close to the fire and windows. 



11 



KEPORTS OF EXAMINER HEDRICK. 

Division : PLASTICS, OILS, FATS, AND GLUE, SUGAR AND SALT, REFRIG- 
ERATION, GAMES AND TOYS. 

I have the honor to make the following report in regard to the work 
in my division and to the additional force required to answer the public 
needs : 

The current work is now about one month in arrears, and the number 
of new cases is increasing every month. During the year 1883 I re- 
ceived over 2,300 new applications. The number of cases in arrears is 
not so great, but it has been kept down by very hard work, and by 
neglecting everything that could be postponed, such as making digests 
and arranging the drawings and foreign patents needed to facilitate 
future examinations. This work must be attended to, or there is dan- 
ger that the examinations cannot be carried on in the best manner. 

I therefore respectfully ask that I have, as additional force, one second 
assistant and one third assistant. 

I was not able to take any leave of absence during the yesLT 1883. 



In reply to circular, 1 have the honor to submit the following report : 

1. Room No. 42, size 20^ by 24^. 

2. Occupied by 7 persons. 

3. Eight desks, four bookcases, one large case of drawers and shelves, 
extending the width of the room, one small case of drawers, one ward- 
robe, one washstand, and one press-copying table. 

4. Not room enough to stow away the drawings and copies necessary 
in making examinations. The desks are so crowded that the force is in 
each other's way. No room to receive and hear persons having direct 
business with the examiner. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER JAYNE. 

Division : METAL WORKING, A. 

I have to report that in my division — Metal Working, A — there are 
now awaiting action 303 new cases, ranging back in dates of filing fully 
four months, or to the 22d of October, 1883; this large accumulation of 
cases is due to the largely increased amount of work presented to the 
office. As the current receipts of new work are still on the increase, I 
can see no prospect of ever being able to reduce the accumulation, or of 
keeping up with the current increase, without an increased number of 
assistants. 

To bring up the work of my room within any reasonable time, three 
additional assistants would be required ; and to keep the work up there- 
after, not less than two would be necessary; thus making the entire per- 
manent force to consist of eight examiners instead of six, as it is at pres- 
ent. This additional force of examiners would, however, make an addi- 
tional clerk necessary, for as it is now my clerk is too heavily burdened, 
notwithstanding the fact that the letters written in my room have mainly 
to be copied in the copying division. 



12 

But it is likewise to be said that auy increase in the number of desks 
in my room would be simply impossible, as it is now packed to its ut- 
most ; and that if the present force be increased, additional room would 
have to be provided to accommodate it. 



I have to report thit my room, No. 48, is in dimensions 20 by 24 feet, 
presenting a floor surface of 480 feet ; that cases 2 J feet deep occupy 
about 48 feet linear of the walls on three sides of the room, which require 
for access and for the handling of drawers a space fully equal to that 
occupied by the cases, the two together making a total of 240 superficial 
feet ; that huddled on the floor are eight desks or tables, which, with 
their chairs, may be said to occupy each a space equal to about 4 by 5 
feet, making together a total of 160 feet superficial, and leaving only 
about 80 feet superficial of space in which to find access to the desks ; 
aud, finally, that within this contracted room with eight desks are eight 
persons. 



EEPORTS OF EXAMIlsrER KINTNER. 

Division: ELECTRICITY. , : 

In conformity with your order concerning the condition of the work, 
necessary additional force required, &c., I have the honor to submit the 
following report: / 

New cases awaiting action, 286 ; oldest cases awaiting action, 88^ 
total, 374. 

Oldest new case awaiting action, November 8, 1883. 

Oldest amended case awaiting action, January 14, 1884. 

I have now a force of eight assistants and two clerks. 

This division embraces electrical appliances pure and simple, and 
has grown, in four years, so far as to include over 6,000 patents. 

Prior to July 1, 1880, there were less than 2,000 patents which dis- 
closed any electrical appliances or apparatus whatever. 

Since that time, the rapid advance made iu telephony, telegraphy, 
electric lighting appliances, dynamo machines, &c., has placed the di- 
vision foremost in the arts, and the capital invested in such inventions 
far exceeds what could have been anticipated. 

As a result, this division is burdened with applications, and improve- 
ments are so rapid that a thorough re-organization of the classification 
is necessitated about once in two years. 

New inventions and appliances spring up ; new uses are developed, 
and new sub-classes are, or should be, necessarily made. 

With my present force, it is quite impossible for me to devote the 
time to a proper care of the class and to a proper reorganization, such 
as should be made to guarantee accurate and exhaustive searches. 

In fact, the class is growing so rapidly, that another division should 
be made, and I have the honor to suggest that it be formed at an early 
day and located in rooms adjoining those now occupied by the present 
division. 

I have no digests of foreign patents, or of the state of the art gener- 
ally, during the past ten years, the most important, indeed, in its his- 
tory ; nor have I, with my limited force, the time to prepare such digests. 

With reference, then, to your request as to the additional force, I havB 



13 

to suggest that at least four more nssistants should be added to the 
division, and that careful and accurate digests be made of all electrical 
patents, both foreign and domestic, and of publications containing elec- 
trical subjects. 

To do this as it should be done, the briefs should be made by the 
assistants in charge of the respective sub-classes. I am growing more 
and more aware of the incompleteness of out facilities, as the art advances 
from year to year, and in order to insure the grant of valid patents, the 
course here indicated should be pursued. 

There is no other art embraced under our j)atent system which could 
be so thordughly digested, and which would more fully repay for such work, 
and for the reason that it has grown up almost entirely within the past 
quarter of a century. 

With proper digests the class would soon be placed in such condition 
that a more limited force could control it. 

As it is now, we are getting deeper in the mire each year 5 and as 
assistants become skilled in the state of the art there are other de- 
mands for them, and they go out of the office, carrying with them a 
knowledge gained only by years of research. 

Since 1881 the entire personnel of this division has changed. Three 
l)rincipal examiners and four assistants have left to fill more lucrative 
positions outside, and the office has been placed at a disadvantage by 
having to educate new men to fill their places, with the probability of 
these men leaving at an early day. 

I must again call attention to the limited rooms which this division 
is forced to occupj', and to the fact that the ventilation is very bad. In 
fact, much sickness results, and my assistants are so crowded that it is 
impossible to do the work required of them, either satisfactorily or with 
comfort. 

The light is so exceedingly poor that I trust my previous suggestions 
concerning electric light will be carried into effect. 



In response to your inquiries concerning the room, discomforts, in- 
conveniences, &c., of this division, I beg to submit the following: 

1. Numbers and location of rooms : 89 and 91, ground floor, F street, 
front; room 89, being 22 by 21 feet, and room 91, 21 by 10. 

2. Eleven persons constitute the total force of the division, distrib- 
uted as follows : eight in room 89, and three in room 91 . 

3. There are eight desks, one table, and three cases in room 89, and 
three desks and six cases in room 91, and the result is such an undue 
crowding as to very seriously impede the business of the division. 

The original drawings are all located in the hall outside the rooms, 
and there is no light by which they may be seen. 

4. The rooms are badly ventilated, and my assistants are all forced 
to vacate them, at least once every day in order that they may be 
thrown open and aired. The light is so bad that in two instances assist- 
ants have contracted eye diseases, which were only cured after having 
resigned their positions. 

In 91, my own room, there is no gas, and I am obliged to use kerosene 
oil, which seriously vitiates the atmosphere. There is gas in room 89, 
and much of the time gas and oil have to be burned the entire day. 

The plumbing is in bad condition, and sewer gas escapes at the wash- 
basin. The floor is directly upon the ground, and hence excessive damp- 
ness results. 



14 

There is tnuch sickness and constant complaint on the part of the 
entire force, of headache and general indisposition. 

A compntation of the dimensions of room 89 shows that each person 
has 500 cubic feet of air to breathe; during the space of seven hours 
this air would be inhaled and reinhaled by each x)erson no less than six 
times, allowing one cubic foot per second as a healthy respiration. 



EEPOETS OF EXAMINEE MASON. 

Division: MILLING, THRASHING, AND BRAKES AND GINS. 

In response to circular order, I have the honor to report as follows : 
{a.) The condition of the work is: Cases awaitiug action, 100 new; 7 
old ; total, 107. Oldest new case filed January 9, 1884. 01dest.amended 
case, February 18, 1884. 

(fe.) With two additional competent assistants the work could be 
brought and kept practically up for the examination of applications in 
about ten days after filing; with one more capable assistant applica- 
tions could be examined, ordinarily, in about one month after filing. 



In response to your circular, I have the honor to report as follows : 

1. The number of the room occupied by this Division is 46, the size 
thereof being 20 by 23 feet. 

2. The number of persons employed is six. - 

3. The number of desks is seven; cases (large), eight; wardrobe, one; 
washstand, one ; chairs, eight. 

4. Fully two-thirds of the area of the room is occupied by stationary 
objects, thus rendering ample working convenience out of the question ; 
and this condition of affairs grows worse with each installment of for- 
eign patents and the weekly issues of domestic patents. Two rooms of 
the size of the present one are needed for proper working facilities and 
personal comforts. 



EEPOETS OF EXAMINEE PIEEOE. 
Division : DESIGNS AND SEWING-MACHINES. 

I have the honor to submit the following statement of work and force 
as existing in this division, in accordance with the circular request, 
with an estimate as to the probable increase of force, the character and 
quantity of the incoming work being unchanged, which would be 
needful to bring the work up to date and maintain it there ; 

Work on hand February 25, 1884 : New cases awaiting action, 143 ; 
amended cases awaiting action, 22 ; total, 165. 

Oldest new case, date filed, December 14, 1883. 

Oldest return case, date amended, February 8, 1884. 

Amendments on hand to be entered, 27. 

The force to receive and handle this work consists of the examiner 
in charge, one first assistant, one second assistant, one third assistant. 



15 

one fourth assistant, one acting fourth assistant (female), and one ex- 
aminer's clerk (female). 

With this force, overworked and at serious disadvantage by reason 
of frequent cases of sickness caused by confinement in damp and un- 
sanitary quarters, the current work of the division has been maintained 
for the past six months at about the average above exj)ressed, the re- 
ceipt of new cases being from 175 to 200 per month, requiring about 
600 actions per month that the work shall make this showing. 

The examiner undertakes to say, in view of the above, that with 
one additional assistant, an industrious and apt expert, and with one 
additional clerk to act as copyist, he could, within a period of three 
months, bring up the work to date and keep it there, provided such 
change in quarters can be had as wiU reasonably insure the force from 
interruption on account of sickness and the absence from duty caused 
thereby, owing to enforced confinement in damp and unwholesome rooms. 

Without the removal of this lalter objection it is manifest that no 
amount of additional force would prove infallibly sufficient to secure 
the result desired. 



In accordance with the circular requesting information of the exam- 
iner upon the following poi-iits, to wit: 

1. The number of the room occupied by this division and its size. 

2. Number of persons employed. 

3. Number of desks, cases, &c., therein, and 

4. The discomforts and inconveniences attending the proper dispatch 
of business, particularly the sanitary condition, 

I have the honor to report as follows : 

1. Eooms 90 and 92 are occupied by division 24. Room 90 is22i by 21 
feet. Room 92 is 21 by 9J feet. 

2. Whole number of persons employed, seven. 

3. In room 90 there are six desks, and in room 92 one. In both rooms 
there are six fixed banks of model and portfolio cases reaching from 
floor to ceiling and occupyingall the wall space excepting that necessary 
for doors and windows, of which there are three each. Besides the desks 
and cases above enumerated, there are two stoves, two radiators, one 
revolving bookcase, one wardrobe, one woodbox, one letter-press and 
stand for the same, one water-cooler and stand for the same, ten chairs, 
two stationary wash-stands, all occupying floor space. 

From measurements made it is found that more than one-half of the 
75 square yards of floor sj)ace contained in the two rooms is occupied by 
fixed furniture, leaving only about thirty or thirty-five square yards of 
available floor space, in which the occui)ants can move about to transact 
the work in hand. And this for seven employes, who are expected to 
open portfolios for extended searches therein, climb up step-ladders, 
and to confer with each other and with that portion of the public which 
has legitimate business with them. 

To say, therefore, with this state of facts before one, that the division 
is crowded would be wholly inexact and incomplete. It is more than 
crowded ; it is in danger of utter confusion from overcrowding, both of 
individuals, furniture and work. And with the mass of materials on 
hand, records, dravyings, and models; the current work coming in, 
transacting and going out; it is only by the institution and practice of 
the most exact system of order and classification, rigidly adhered to, 
often at a gieat expense of both time and patience, that irremedial con- 
fusion is prevented. 



16 

Most seriously detrimental, however, of all the obstructions with which 
this division has to contend, is the unsanitary condition of the quarters 
it is compelled to occupy. Its two rooms are on the north side of the 
south wing-, lowest floor, looking out into the courtyard. There is no 
cellar underneath. Their floors are directly upon the solid earth. No 
ray of sunlight ever penetrates their giooniy depths. Not even reflected 
sunlight can reach and influence them, o^ving to the fact that the east 
wing of the building directly overhangs their windows. The earth in 
the courtyard outside, saturated with water, acts like a sponge to absorb 
and convey the moisture promptly to the floor inside the building. As 
a consequent result the floor is always damp, and the base of the outside 
wall, inside the rooms, is wet and moldy. The bottom drawers of the 
portfolio cases gather moisture and are so covered with fungus that they 
cannot be used. To such an extent is this true that, during the past 
n inter several hundred fine, line drawings of French patents, were found 
to be almost utterly ruined by mildew! 

From this state of facts it is apparent that the rooms are unfit for 
storage purposes even, which it may be said was the original purpose 
of the architect of the building. It is understood by the examiner that 
they were designated on the original plan as coal vaults! 

Confined for seven hours in each day, six days in each week, by the 
year, in such utterly unwholesome quarters, it is not any wonder that 
members of the force find themselves frequently on the sick list. The 
only wonder is that any of them can maintain an active state of health 
at all. The interruption to the work of the division, from sickness con- 
sequent upon the confinement in such crowded, unsanitary quarters, is 
constant, to say nothing of the permanent loss of health and vitality 
entailed upon the constitutions of worthy employes who rightly value 
their good health as their main capital in life. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER POND. 

Division: CIVIL ENGINEERING. 

In compliance with the order received, I have the honor to report con- 
cerning the condition of work in this division. 

We are behind: new cases, 198; old cases, 70; total, 268. 

The oldest new case bears date October 25, 1883. 

The oldest old case bears date (of amendment) November 22, 1883. 

These dates, however, do not show fairly the exact condition. The 
last-mentioned case, for instance, is one necessarily held up in view of 
interference. It would be more correct to say that on returned work 
we are about finishing 1883. 

Necessarily, also, the progress of a large prolix closely contested case 
is much slower than others. 

Of the work of classifying and putting in order records and other 
material (foreign patents, photographs, &c.), it is impossible to do more 
than what is absolutely essential. 

My force consists of eight assistants and one clerk, besides myself. 
For the most part they are capable, diligent, regular, and I probably 
have as small a proportion of second-class talent as any division. As 
to increasing the number of my force, this is impossible for want of 
room. There is no room for another desk, or for another person to move 



17 

about in liooiu 43. When ten desks are arranged on an available floor 
space of 18 feet square, apd allowance is niade for drawing out and 
working portfolios and for passages, it may safely be concluded there 
are not many square feet left. 

To economize space I have found it necessary to shrink my own desk 
to the proportions of a small stand 2 feet 10 inches long by 17 inches 
wide. If we can have an additional room we can take an increase of 
three to our force, and with such increase (jan bring the work up and 
keep it up. 



In compliance with order received, 1 have the honor to state — 

1. The room occupied by this division is numbered 43, and is 20 feet 
5 inches one way by 23 feet the other. 

2. There are ten persons employed therein, eight men and two women. 

3. The room contains eight cases, nine desks, and one table. 

4. The cases in the room shrink the available floor space to less than 
20 feet square. The room req^uisite to operate the large record drawers 
further reduci s this space very seriously, such that quite frequently to 
get from one part of the room to another it is necessary to mount and 
go over the desks. 

With so many occupied in one room it is impossible to secure the 
quiet necessary to an intelligent and accurate conduct of the public 
business. 

The room is on the north side. Kot a ray of direct sunlight falls in 
it from Januar3^ 1 to December 31. It is impossible to have a fire in 
the room without endangering the furniture. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER SANDERS. 
Division: LAND CONVEYANCES. 

The accompanying report shows the present condition of the work in 
this division; also, names and rank of the force employed: 

Oases awaiting action, 139; new, 55; old, 194. 

Oldest new case, date filed, January 21, 1884. 

Oldest return case, date amended, January 26, 1884. 

It will be seen that the work is up within a limit of about thirty days, 
and it is practicable to keep it up within this limit with ihe present 

force. 

The number of new cases received averages 200 per month, and the 
return or amended cases about 280 more. To keep this work reasonably 
well in hand requires the constant and faithful service of the entire force, 
and to bring the work up within a nearer limit would require one addi- 
tional assistant. 



In compliance with the Commissioner's order, I have the honor to re- 
port as follows : 

Number of room, 87 ; size of room, 22 by 22 feet ; number of persons 
employed, six ; number of desks and cases, twelve. 
12570 p E 2 



18 

The room is not particularly overcrowded, although more room and 
reorganization would be very desirable, and would facilitate the dispatch 
of business. * 

The only fault with the sanitary condition appears to be a certain 
dampness, resulting from the laying of the floor directly upon the ground. 



REPOETS OF EXAMINER SCHOEPF. 
Division: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. 

In compliance with the circular received, I have the honor to report 
that the work in my room is up to January 26, 1884. 

I have 146 new cases on hand, and could guarantee with the present 
force, should the number of applications I have received not materially 
increase, to keep the work up so that no case will be examined later 
than ten days after filing, were it possible for the examiner and his as- 
sistants to give their exclusive attention to the work of examining. 
This, however, in the present condition of affairs, is scarcely to be hoped, 
since much valuable time is daily lost by each examiner in obtaining 
references. Replacing these references in their proper classes, together 
with the time consumed in making and answering inquiries daily aris- 
ing in the issue, draughtsmen, and assignment divisions, render it utterly 
impossible for the examiners to. devote all their time to making exami- 
nations. 

I respectfully request that a youth, for whose services a small salary 
would be sufficient, be sent to my division to do this work, which would 
not only be a solution of the present difficulty, but would have the fur- 
ther advantage of fitting such youth, in the course of time, to intelli- 
gently enter upon the work of examining. 



In response to your circular, I have the honor to report that my di- 
vision is crowded into one room, 102, the size thereof being 22 feet 
square, for the accommodation (?) of six persons and seven desks. Cases 
for foreign drawings and our American lithographs, together with those 
containing the files of pending applications, occupy three sides of 
the room,. the remaining side containing two windows, the recesses 
therein being also filled with papers for which no other place can be 
found. The crowded condition of the room makes but one disposition 
of the desks possible, and anything like proper ventilation equally im- 
possible. 

In addition to the above, the need for another room is absolute for 
the hearing of arguments, appeals, &c., since it is utterly impractica- 
ble to conduct such necessary consultations with inventors or their 
attorneys, as I am at present obliged to do, without much loud talking, 
which necessarily interrupts the work of my assistants and causes 
serious detriment to the proper dispatch of business. 



19 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER SEATON. 

Division: FIRE-ARMS, NAVIGATION^, WOOD- WORKING, STONE-WORKING, 

AND SIGNALS. 

In compliance with jour instructions, I beg leave respectfully to re- 
port the condition of the work in this division, as also my opinion as to 
the additional force required to bring such work up to date, and keep 
it so. 

A synopsis of the number of cases received and of the number and. 
character of actions made on applications may not be out of place. 

This division embraces, for examination, four separate and distinct 
classes of inventions, viz, wood- working machines and tools, stone work- 
ing machines and implements, fire-arms, ordnance and projectiles, ship 
and boat building, and everything relating to marine propulsion, and, 
lastlj', several sub-classes of signals. 

The number of applications jSled, cases passed, for issue, and patents 
granted from January 1 to December 31, 1883, is as follows : 



Wood-working 

Stone workinji 

Pire-arms, ordnance, &c 

Ship-building and marine propulsion 
Signals 

Total 




Patents 
granted. 



592 

81 

252 

208 

62 



1,193 



By patents granted is meant letters patent issued from the ofSce. 

Total nnmber of actions (both rejections and allowances), made for the year 

1883 , \... 4,972 

Average monthly actions made 414 

Nnmber of applications received in Jannary, 1884 189 

Number of actions made in Jannary, 18b'4 414 

Nnini'cr of cases pasi?ed for issue in January, 1884 93 

Applications in 1884 to date 322 

Actions made to date.... 646 

Cases passed for issue to date 183 

IBy the above statement, it will be perceiv^ed that the amount of work 
is steadily increasing. 

The force em])loyed in the division is as follows: One principal ex- 
aminer, one first assistant examiner, one third assistant examiner, three 
fourth assistant examiners, one lady clerk. 

The daily report of this date shows on hand for action : ISTew cases, 
102 ; old cases, 59 ; total, 161. 

Date of filing of oldest return (amended) case, Febiuary 1, 1884; date 
of filing of oldest (new) case, January 8, 1884. 

AVhile the number and dates of cases on hand show the division to 
be in comparatively good condition, it cannot be expected that this 
satisfactory condition of affairs can continue, in view of the present 
force in the room and ihe gradual increase in the number of applica- 
tions. The examiner in charge is of the opinion that should he be pro- 
vided with an experienced a.^sistant, such as a second assistant ex- 
aminer, and also a lad who might relieve the assistants of much inter- 
ruption, consequent upon handling drawings, files, and models, and 



20 

should the work not increase iu any marked proportion, the number of 
cases on hand for action could be decreased to a minimum, and for the 
present be kept up to date, or within reasonable limits. 

To give an idea of the material used as references, and which have 
to be consulted in the examination of cases, this division embraces in 
American patents : 

Shipbuildiug and marine propulsion : 5, 920 

Stone- working 1, 840 

Wood working 1 1 , 200 

Fire-arms and ordnance 4, 700 

Signals 720 

Total American patents 24, 380 

In addition to this there are on record English, French, and Ger- 
man patents relating to the above classes, amounting to about 17,000 
patents ; and these, with publications other than patents, constitute an 
immense field of research, involving very close application, and much 
time, in order to do justice to individual applications. 

Speaking for my own division — and I have no reason to doubt that 
the same state of things exists in other classes — the industry, intelli- 
gence, and. persistent attention to official business, in and out of office 
hours, displayed by my assistants is not only commendable in itself, but 
goes far to keep up the reputation of the Bureau for discrimination and 
zeal in awarding impartial justice to the inventors of the country at 
large. 

It must be remembered that this work, which is a constant drain upon 
the mind and body, is performed under A^ery disadvantageous condi- 
tions, the rooms being crowded, the air confined and unhealthy, while 
the attention of examiners and their assistants is constantly distracted 
by the necessary interruptions of inventors and their attorneys. 

This is a brief summary of the state of this division, and while the 
examiner might, with propriety, amplify with good reason and effect, 
it is hoped that this will be sufficient to show the difficulties under 
which the office labors, from its insufficient force and overcrowded 
rooms. 



In compliance with your instructions, I have the honor to report as 
follows : 

Eoom 8~), occupied by my division, measures 21 by 22 -f feet. The 
room contains seven cases, surrounding three sides of the room, pro- 
truding 2-f-feet from the walls and leaviug a space, to be occupied by 
the desks, chairs, stove, &c., of 18.G by 18.0 feet. 

The number of persons permanently employed in the room is seven j 
the number of desks eight. The space outside of the cases and desks 
is so limited that much inconvenience is experienced in properly con- 
sulting the drawings and data contained in the cases, and scarcely a 
single case can be used without disturbing some assistant in his seat, 
causing him to mov^e temporarily and seriously interrupting his work. 
The air becomes so close and mephitic,from the contracted space in which 
seven persons are to breathe, and from the musty odor of i;he drawings, 
&c., confined in their cases, that several times during the day work has 
to be suspended to permit the occupants to withdraw from the room 
while the windows and doors are opened for ventilation, and a necessary 
8uj>ply of fresh air obtained. 

During dark days the gas must be lighted, and this, of course, adds 
to the closeness of the room, and frequently renders the air positively 



21' 

sickening. When several attorneys are in the room on business this 
state of things is greatly aggravated. 

This is a brief statement of the difficulties under which this division 
labors in the pursuance of its legitimate duties. 



REPORT-:) OF EXAMINER SEELY. 

Division: TRADE-MARKS AND INSTRUMENTS OF PRECISION. 

As directed in your order, I have the bonor to report the condition of 
work in mj division as follows : 

New cases awaiting action 130 

Old cases awaiting action 77 

Total 207 

The oldest new case was filed December 31, 1883; the oldest return 
case was amended January 29, 1884. 

The condition of the work is best seen by a comparison of the above 
figures with those of the correspoD ding dates in 1882 and 1883, as shown 
by the record in tlje chief clerk's room, made from examiner's daily 
reports, as follows : 





Tear. 


New cases. 


Old cases. 


Total. 


1882 


102 

92 

130 


45 

38 

77 


147 


1883 


130 


1884 : 


207 







Showing an increase in the total column over the average of the two 
years of above 35 per cent. 

A similar comparison of the number of new cases received from the 
1st to the 24th of February in the same years is equally suggestive, and 
is as follows : In 1882, 183'^cases ; in 1883, 225 cases ; in 1884, 267 cases. 

With this threatening increase in the work of my division the force 
remains the same in number, but is practically weaker, from the fact 
that owing to resignations and other changes in the office, my senior 
assistant, though experienced in the office work, is without experience 
in my particular class. I do not see how my work can be brought up 
and kept up without an additional assistant examiner, and i)0SvSibly 
two. At the same time the want of room would make me very reluctant 
to receive another assistant. 

There has never been any force in the office so profitable as the boys 
who work for $40 a month, and who, when judiciously directed, may 
save the whole time of one examiner or assistant. I would be very glad 
of such an addition to my force in any case, and if an additional assist- 
ant were sent me the need of such help w^ould be still more urgent. 



In compliance with instructions just received to report upon the con- 
dition of my room, I have the honor to say that I occupy room 98, being 
an inner ground floor in the east hall. 

Its dimensions are 21.3 by 21.6 feet from wall to wall. On the south 
side there is a projection representing a chimney and mantel (the fire- 



22 

place being closed), which reduces the width of the room at that part a 
foot. The recesses at the sides of this projection are filled with cases 
for models, files, drawings, &c., which are 2 feet in depth. On the 
north side is a case 2J feet deep, extending a little more than half the 
width of the room. The west side has two windows about as ill-adapted 
for light as can be, being low and set in walls 4 feet thick. The wall 
space between the windows is filled by a case 2J feet deep. On the east 
side is the door having on one side of it a small case, some 2 feet deep, 
and a hot-air register; on the other side a permanent wash-stand. It 
will be observed that the available floor space is practically reduced from 
460.08 square feet (or 21.3 by 2L.6) to 2J<9 square feet (or 17 by 17) by 
taking oif 2 feet or upwards from the actual wall dimensions on each 
side. 

The ceiling is arched, averaging 10 feet in height. 

There are six persons employed in the room, and seven desks. The 
extra desk is indispensable, as I have the trade-mark work and a good- 
sized mechanical division, and my clerk has to keep two sets of books. 

The light, as before intimated, is bad. Persons continuously em- 
ployed on manuscript and intricate mechanical drawings want the very 
best of light, and my low windows and thick walls act very effectually 
to exclude it. The gas is in frequent requisition at all seasons of the 
year, and does not improve the atmosphere. 

The arrangements for ventilation are abominable — rather there ^re 
none. There is a transom over the door, which leads into a hall as noisy 
as the street outside, and the two windows open into the court, having 
a carpenter and blacksmith shop in the basement below. 

One of my clerks suffering from neuralgia was lately obliged to asfc a 
transfer to another room, and I certainly could not object. Others now 
with me suffer, but endure, as they like their work, and, with the phi- 
losophy of Hamlet, prefer to suffer the ills they know rather than fly to 
some they don't know so well. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER STOCKING. 

Divisiox: METAL WORKING, B. 

Responsive to your order, I report the condition of the work in and 
the needs of the examining division in my charge. 

CONDITION OF THE WORK. 

The number of applications on hand and not yet touched is 114. The 
oldest application on hand for action has date January 30, 1884. 

From these statements it is seen that the division is one month be- 
hind in the work of examination of applications. It has been behind 
since October, 1883. Before that date it was always np to date. 

All other work in the division has been practically suspended during 
the year 1883. This work comprises, in general terms, classifying, 
briefing, and arranging the facts of inventions so that they may be 
certainly and quickly found when searched for. It includes translating, 
in abridged form, foreign patents; briefing the patents of the United 
States as to ingredients of compositions, materials used, processes ex- 
ecuted, and like facts which cannot be illustrated in drawings ; brief- 
ing text-books and publications ; classifying, stamping, and mounting 



23 

drawings of foreign patents, and revising the classification and ar- 
rangement of the drawings of United States patents pertaining to this 
division. The latter item is one necessary to be done at an early day. 
It is ten years since the last revision, and the classification has not been 
kept up so as to separate those lines of inventions in which inventors- 
are now active from those in which invention is sluggish or at rest. 

All of this work on material needs to be done in" order tliat exami- 
nations, being the main purpose of the corps, shall be made certainly 
and rapidly. This work needs to be done soon ; the longer it is put off 
the worse the condition of affairs becomes, since the material to be 
classified is constantly accumulating. On this work alone (without 
making any examinations of applications) I could profitably employ all 
of my present force for six months. 

Yet I would not have you understand that this division is in any 
worse condition than other divisions of the examining corps. On the 
contrary, I believe it to be in as good condition in respect to the state of 
its material and in other respects as any division of the office, and I in- 
vite inspection of the division, both to substantiate its comi^arative ex- 
cellence and the following statement of its needs : 

NEEDS OF THE DIVISION. 

1. The di vision needs immediately one assistant examiner. He shouldl 
be a man above the average in ability, one capable of rising to the 
higher grades. I say this because I have good reason to believe that twa 
of my assistants (there being now four in the division), the two who are 
most competent, contemplate leaving the office. It is imjierative that 
men of ability be obtained and put in training to fill these impending 
vacancies. The immediate need, however, is one additional assistant. 

2. The division needs another clerk, a man, of usual clerical ability. 
It would be well if he should have such acquirements as would enable 
him to rise into the examini ng corps. The clerical positions in examining 
divisions shoiild be i)ositions of training for the position of assistant 
examiner. 

3. The division now works in one room. It needs another. The floor 
space of the present room will not receive the desks of enough persons 
to do the work of the division. But one more person can be seated in 
the room. Desk room for two more persons is needed. 

More than desk room is needed. Too many persons are crowded to- 
gether. During the last year there has been much sickness in the divis- 
ion, attributable in part, I think, to the fact that so many work closely 
together, and that they are compelled to sit in draughts of air or to 
breathe foul air. 

You will understand that in this one room are the desks of six work- 
men, and that the room is surrounded with cases for books and patents, 
and benches of deep portfolios for the drawings of patents. Where 
workmen and their tools are so crowded continuously, efficient and 
rapid work cannot beexi)ected. If done at all it must be done with 
difficultv. 



In obedience to your requirement, I report respecting this division as. 
follows : Number of room, 24; persons employed, 7 ; cases and benches, 
6 ; desks, 7 ; size of the room, 21 by 22 feet ; floor area of the room, being 
the area inside of the cases (which are arranged along three of its walls), 



24 

17 by 20 feet ; floor area of the room inside of the tipping line of the 
drawers of the cases, 15^ by 1 7f feet. 

This area of about 15 by 17 feet is all that the room affords to contain 
seven desks and seven chairs and the necessary passage between them. 
It will be understood that the chair or seating room for one person is 
slightly larger th^n the desk room for one person. 

The desks and chairs are by the surrounding cases crowded into the 
center of the room, leaving but one U shaped passage-way between the 
desks and the cases, and compelling a person to go around the room in 
order to get across it. 

The crowding of the desks into the center of the room throws all of 
them into the direct draught of air from the windows to the opposite 
door. This is a serious matter, since it causes sickness. If door and 
windows be opened, all suffer from the air draught, and if door and win- 
dows be closed all suffer from foul air, because there is no chimney or 
ventilating flue. The room is heated by hot air (from a furnace) let into 
the room. 

The room must be reported as too small for the necessary force, and 
too small to healthfully and conveniently house the present force. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER WHITAKER. 
Division : HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE. 

In compliance with your request, I have to inform you that at present 
there are in my division the following employes : 1 first assistant, 1 
second assistant, 1 fourth assistant, and 2 acting fourth assistants. - 

I have on hand 298 new cases and 136 old cases awaiting examination. 
I think that two additional assistants are indispensable in this division, 
and also a young man to act as copyist and do needful work in regard 
to the reclassification of certain classes of the division and the proper 
arrangement of the foreign patents. 



In compliance with the request contained in your circular, I have the 
honor to inform you that the division of which I have charge occupies 
room 105 of the basement floor of the Patent Office. The size of the 
room is about 32 by 22 feet. The number of persons commonly em- 
ployed is eight, each occupying a desk. 

The condition of my work is such that I should be furnished with 
another assistant, making nine. 

The sanitarj^ conditions of the room, I am glad" to state, are good. 

One side of the room is entirely covered with cases containing port- 
folios for drawings, pigeon-holes for cases, and shelves for models. All 
the available space of one end of the room is covered in like manner, 
and other structures of a like character will soon he required. 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER WILKINSON. 
Division: BUILDERS' HARDWARE AND SURGERY. 

In this division there are at present: cases awaiting action, 133 new, 
70 old=203; cases awaiting models, 33. 

Oldest new case filed January 17, 1884; oldest amended, January 28, 

1884. 



26 

In the division there is but a single ranking assistant, i, e.. one first 
assistant. At one time last fall three new men were assigned to me, 
no one of whom had any previous experience in the Patent Office. 
This division is in great need of the usual number of trained assist- 
ants. It requires a good second assistant and a good third assistant. 
Last month this division received 140 new cases, while some divisions 
received from 80 to 100 only, and have a first, two second, and one third 
assistants, besides usual number of clerks. In my experience of twenty 
years in Patent Office no examiner has ever had so little assistance. 



1. Eoom 153 is occupied by this division, and it contains about 18 by 
20 feet available for desks and necessary furniture. 

2. Seven persons in the room. 

3. Seven desks, and cases for models, books, drawings, &c., extending 
around the entire room. 

4. Several attorneys, while discussing diffi3rent cases, are constantly 
overhearing matters relating to other applications. 

Room is directly upon the ground, with no air space beneath and very 
damp in spring and fall. The papers and books near the base of the 
wall become moldj . 



REPORTS OF EXAMINER WOODWARD. 

Division : HEATING, ILLUMINATING, AND DRYING. 

In the division of calorifics, comprising the sub-classes of driers, 
lamps, and gas fittings, and stoves and furnaces, the old work is prac^ 
tically up to date, although the date of the oldest case is December 14. 
There are 32 old cases on hand. The new work is practically up to 
November 1, although the date of the oldest new case is October 2. 
During the year 1883, 1,642 new cases were received. 

Judging by the way the work has been coming in lately, I have rea- 
son to expect an increase for the year 1884 of two or three hundred 
cases, making a total of, say, 1,900. 

My examining force now consists of examiners of the following 
grades, viz, two second assistants, one third assistant, and one fourth 
assistant. To get the work up approximately to date, and keep it up, 
and do it well, will require an addition ro my present force of one first 
assistant and one third or fourth assistant. 

I have one clerk, which is all that is ordinarily needed, although occa- 
sionally it is necessary to have letters copied in the regular copying 
division of the office. I have, however, not only no accommodations or 
room for the required additional force, but have not even sufficient 
room for the drawings, books &c., which I now have that pertain to 
the division, and to which free access is so necessary to permit expedi- 
tious and correct work. 



I have the honor to submit the following information : 
The room occupied is numbered 100, and the desk space inside the 
six wall cases is 18 by 18 feet 6 inches, which is practically the siz^ of 
the room, as the wall cases extend nearly to the ceiling. There ar^^ix 

12570 P E 3 



26 

desks in the room, and as the average height of the ceiling is only 10 
feet, the air space for the six persons occupying the room is entirely 
insufficient, necessitating a stoppage of business several times a day 
to permit the windows to be opened for supply of fresh air; a gradual 
process of ventilation is impossible, as some of the persons in the room 
are necessarily located close to the windows. Two of the assistants so 
located are constantly troubled with colds, as the windows are loose and 
do not keep out cold draughts. 

Aside from the usual difficulties of doing business without sufficient 
room for persons and proper space for papers and drawings, it is not 
fair to inventors that their cases, which are supposed to be kept secret, 
should be exposed to the view of every person that happens to enter the 
room ; and on the other hand it is not fair to the persons constituting 
the examining force that they should be constantly interrupted and dis- 
tracted by the arguments and inquiries of attorneys and others having 
official business with the principal examiner. 



SCIENTIFIC LIBEAKY. 

Statement of number of patents. 

Specifications, American, to date 294, 000 

Specifications of patents of foreign countries : , 

Englisli patents : 

Total to December, 1883 140, 047 

For tlie year 1883 6, dOO 

German patents: 

Total to December 31, 1883 26,084 

For the year 1883 4,848 

French patents: 

Total to April 30, 1883 172,451 

For the year 1882 6, 269 

Italian patents : 

Total to April 30, 1882 (about) 13,500 

Yearly (about) 1,250 

Belgian patents : 

Total to December 31, 1882 .' 60,043 

For year 1882 , 3, 400 

Austrian patents : 

Total from 1821 to 1847 4,394 

Total from 1853 to 1882 (titles only received) 29, 310 

Foryearl882 .' 2,377 

Hungarian patents : 

Total to December 31, 1882 (titles only received) 20, 434 

For year 1882 2,377 

ADDITIONS TO SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY, 1885. 

During the year 1883 there have been added to the library: 

Specifications of patents of various countries , vols.. 291 

Scientific works, bound periodicals, &c 2, 760 

Books bound during the year 1, 606 

Number of scientific and industrial periodicals taken regularly 339 

Number of serials 266 

Total number of volumes in the library 41,322 

A catalogue of- additions to the library from 1878 to 1882, making an 
octavo volume of 460 pages, has been compiled and printed during the 



27 

year, showing that the library has nearly doubled during the past seven 
years. 

The subject-matter index, in English, of all French patents published 
to date, including a little less than 107,000 patents issued between 1791 
and 1876, inclusive, has been completed and published in a large quarto 
volume of 934 pages. A smaller index of Italian patents from 1848 to 
April, 1882, has been completed as a card catalogue, and is now in 
course of preparation for printing. It is considered desirable to extend 
this work to the German, Belgian, Australian, and Norwegian patents 
in the library. 

The translation and indexing of foreign patents and other works has 
been delayed by other necessary work of the office, and on account of the 
limited number of persons to do this si)ecial work. There are many 
foreign scientific publications that should be indexed, but there has been 
no opi^ortunity to undertake it except in case of Dingler's Polytechnisches 
Journal, which covers a period of sixty-three years, 1820-1882, and con- 
tains reports of inventions and discoveries not published elsewhere. 
The index to this work is very nearly completed. 

An assistant translator and more assistants in the library for proper 
indexing would save much time of the examiners and others, as about 
one-half the books in the library are in foreign languages. The dis- 
tribution of duplicate foreign patents to the examiners is now made as 
fast as they are received. 

The urgent need of more room and better accommodations for the 
arrangement and proper classification of the books in the library is ap- 
parent. Cases have been so crowded together that there is not space 
sufficient for convenient work, and additional cases have been placed 
in the hall to provide for the current increase. There is special need 
for additional space for the foreign patents, as no more oases can be 
placed in that part of the library. 



28 

Summary. 



Examiners. 



Antisell 

Appleton . . 
Blodgett . . . 

Bo wen 

Boyd 

Burke 

Catlin 

Chapman - 

Cooke 

Fowler 

Fox 

Hedrick ... 

Jayne 

Kintner 

Mason 

Pierce 

Pond 

Sanders 

Schoepf 

Seaton 

Seely , 

Stocking . - . 
Whitaker . , 
Wilkinson . 
Woodward. 



Total 



Page. 



1 

2 

4 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

9 

10 

11 

11 

12 

14 

14 

16 

17 

18 

19 

21 

22 

24 

24 

25 



Additional force required. 



Assistant exam- 
iners. 



45 



Clerks. 



Additional 
room re- 
quired. 



24 



* Youth. 

o 



* • 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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